Journal Article

Lethal Canine Distemper Virus ( Morbillivirus canis ) Outbreak in Free‐Ranging Black‐Tufted Marmosets ( Callithrix penicillata ) in Brazil: Clinical, Pathological, Genotypical Evaluation, and Assessment of Viral Tropism

de Paula, Nayara Ferreira, Tomé, Luiz Marcelo Ribeiro, de Oliveira, Ayisa Rodrigues, Costa, Erica Azevedo, Guimarães, Natália Rocha, Ribeiro, Letícia Neves, Iani, Felipe Campos de Melo, Duarte, Janaina Ribeiro, Figueiredo, Caio de Castro Cunha, Lima, Maurício Teixeira, Santos, Renato Lima, Vieira, André Duarte, dos Santos, Sara Cândida Ferreira, de Carvalho, Marcelo Pires Nogueira, Souza, Lucas dos Reis, Tinoco, Herlandes Penha, Coelho, Carlyle Mendes, Rabinowitz, Peter MacGarr, da Silva, Paulo Eduardo de Souza, Alcantara, Luiz Carlos Junior, Galinari, Grazielle Cossenzo Florentino, de Campos, Bruna Hermine, dos Santos, Daniel Oliveira, Amaral, Vinicius Henrique Barbosa, Adelino, Talita Emile Ribeiro, Giovanetti, Marta

2025

Overview

Canine distemper virus (CDV; Morbilivirus canis ) is a morbillivirus with worldwide distribution. The virus belongs to the family Paramyxoviridae, which includes highly pathogenic viruses such as measles virus (MeV) ( Measles virus ) and rinderpest virus ( Rinderpest morbillivirus ). Canine distemper is primarily a disease in domestic dogs, but it has been described in terrestrial and aquatic wild mammals, demonstrating the ability of CDV to cross species barriers. Here, we describe a lethal CDV outbreak in free‐ranging marmosets ( Callithrix penicillata ) in Brazil. The marmosets were captured during a targeted epidemiological surveillance program aimed at monitoring viral agents in wildlife in urban parks of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Affected marmosets presented with neurological signs, and others were found dead in the same area. In this report, we detail the occurrence of the outbreak and describe clinical manifestations, gross and histopathological lesions, tissue distribution of the virus by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and molecular methods, and phylogenetic analyses of the virus. This study demonstrated that CDV can infect free‐ranging black‐tufted marmosets and lead to neurologic signs, cutaneous lesions, and death. Viral genomic sequences and antigens were detected in several organs, indicating a pantropic distribution of CDV in this neotropical primate species. Additionally, the marmosets were also tested for MeV and Lyssavirus , which yielded negative results. Coinfections with CDV and Callitrichinae gammaherpesvirus 3 were detected in three marmosets. The CDV sequences identified here were closely related to both South American sequences and Vero cell‐adapted lineages. These findings have significant implications from a One Health perspective.

• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc,Wiley
• Subject: Adaptation / Animals / Annealing / Aquatic mammals / Bats / Brazil - epidemiology / Callithrix - virology / Callithrix penicillata / Canine distemper / Disease Outbreaks - veterinary / Distemper - epidemiology / Distemper - pathology / Distemper - virology / Distemper Virus, Canine - genetics / Distemper Virus, Canine - isolation & purification / Distemper Virus, Canine - physiology / DNA polymerase / Domestic animals / Epidemics / Epidemiology / Female / Genomes / Geographical distribution / Herpes viruses / Immunohistochemistry / Infections / Lesions / Male / Measles / Monkey Diseases - epidemiology / Monkey Diseases - pathology / Monkey Diseases - virology / Monkeys & apes / Mortality / Outbreaks / Phylogeny / Primates / Rinderpest / Tropism / Urban areas / Urban parks / Viral Tropism / Viruses / Wildlife